It’s not a failure, it’s a motivation.
When Michelle went out in episode 1 of The Apprentice, she could have taken that as a sign that she wasn’t good enough – that the grandmaster of business himself, Lord Sugar, couldn’t see enough potential in her. But that’s not her style. Instead, she worked her backside off even harder to prove him wrong. She discusses her full story with Aleksandra King on her ‘Beyond the Boardroom’ podcast.
Don’t let a failure stop you. As Richard Branson said ‘Failure is only the end if you decide to stop’. Don’t stop.
What they discuss in this episode:
- 1. What REALLY happens behind the scenes of The Apprentice? Michelle spills the truth about the gruelling selection process, the psychological pressure, and the boardroom tactics that make or break candidates.
- 2. Why she applied twice before making it onto the show-and how a last-minute decision changed her life.
- 3. The unexpected emotional toll of The Apprentice and why Michelle nearly quit before even starting.
- 4. The “Week 1 Project Manager Curse”-what went wrong, what she learned, and whether she regrets stepping up as a leader too soon.
- 5. What Lord Sugar didn’t see-Michelle’s huge success after the show, running multiple businesses in property, finance, and mortgages.
- 6. Business lessons from reality TV-how The Apprentice experience shaped her mindset and approach to entrepreneurship.
- 7. The challenges of being a woman in business-Michelle opens up about dealing with stereotypes, proving herself in male-dominated industries, and why confidence is the key to success.
- 8. How therapy changed her life-Michelle shares how working with therapists and psychologists helped her manage stress, set boundaries, and redefine success.
- 9. The importance of work-life balance-from business mogul to hands-on mother, how Michelle transitioned from a relentless workaholic to a leader who prioritizes both business and family.
- 10. Why women must negotiate harder-Michelle and Aleksandra discuss the gender pay gap, self-worth in business, and why women often undervalue themselves in negotiations.
- 11. The power of confidence in business-why Michelle believes that most women struggle not with skills, but with self-belief and asserting their value.
